Lighthouses of Niue Lighthouses of Niue Niue (pronounced "new-ay") is an isolated Polynesian island country located in the South Pacific east of Tonga, south of Samoa, and west of the Cook Islands. The island is about 18 km (11 mi) in diameter, surrounded by a coral reef. The population on the island is about 1400. Niue is described as a "self-governing state in free association with New Zealand," not a colony but not quite an independent nation. The village of Alofi, on the west coast, is the capital. The territory has no traditional lighthouses, but there are several minor lights. It is likely that Maritime New Zealand has assisted in the installation and maintenance of these lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume K of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 111. General Sources A useful general map of the island. Range Rear Light, Alofi, September 2013 photo copyright Adam and Cindy, SV Bravo; used by permission Lightbeacons * [Alofi Range Rear] Date unknown.

Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); continuous red light. 9 m (30 ft) framework structure carrying a trapezoidal daymark painted on both sides with red and white horizontal bands. A photo is above, and another photo is available, but the small structure is not seen in Google's satellite view . The front light is on a similar, smaller structure with a diagonal red band, seen to the left of the rear light in the Panoramio photo . The range guides vessels through the pass in the coral reef. The wharf is known as Sir Robert's Wharf after Sir Robert Rex, the nation's first prime minister. Located at the base of the wharf at Alofi. Site open. Admiralty K4656.1; NGA 3160. Information available on lost lighthouses: Notable faux lighthouses: Niue - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Niue Niue country brief Niue Niue is a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand. A coral island of only 260 square kilometres, Niue is located about 480 kilometres east of Tonga and 560 kilometres south-east of Samoa.

Economic and trade information Assistance to Australian travellers: Consular Services Charter Resources Embassies and consulates Australia The High Commission for Australia in New Zealand is responsible for Australian affairs in the Niue. Niue Niue currently has no official representation in Australia Contacts Contact details for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pacific Bilateral and New Zealand Branch R.G Casey Building Niue - Cornell Sailing Events & Publications Niue Niue is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand Flag Blue Planet Odyssey Description & main attractions The island of Niue is one of the world’s smallest states, but it is the largest block of coral on the planet. Because of its unusual geological formation, Niue is riddled with underground tunnels and caves, while on the east coast, constantly battered by huge Pacific rollers, deep chasms make for apocalyptic scenery. Surrounded by sixty-foot high cliffs, Niue has no natural harbours and the only shelter from the prevailing winds is an indentation on the west coast where a number of moorings have been laid for the use of visiting yachts.

In settled conditions this is a safe spot to leave the boat while visiting the island, although the ocean swell is forever present and the constant surge makes landing an exciting affair. There is a crane for hoisting tenders out of the water. Because of the difficult approaches and absence of lights it is strongly advised to arrive in daylight. Alofi is the capital of Niue and is located at the centre of Alofi Bay on the west coast of the island, close to the only break in the coral reef that surrounds the island. Niue Niue Niue Alofi Niue, 'The Rock of Polynesia', is the largest coral island, yet the smallest country in the world, and is located between Tonga and the Cook Islands. Niue is a self governing state which has been in free association with New Zealand since 1974. All Niueans are New Zealand citizens and hold a New Zealand passport. Niueans have the same rights as New Zealanders with access to health and education benefits and the stable New Zealand dollar. High value agriculture produce like vanilla, honey, noni and Niuean pink taro (a native taro variety with a strong resistance to pests), are exported internationally.

The development of domestic and offshore fisheries offers great potential, evidenced by a fish processing plant becoming operational in 2004. There is also potential for growth in the tourism sector in terms of accommodation and the Niuean Diaspora is encouraged to invest in property in Niue. The niche market of handicrafts and food processing industry are sectors that have potential to grow. Visitor arrivals in Niue have increased since 2005 with the commencement of Air New Zealand's weekly direct flight service from Auckland to Niue. Inbound capacity will grow further in 2013 with additional fortnightly services to commence in mid-April. Niue is also serviced by monthly shipping services from Auckland. In 2003, Niue became the world's first "Wi-Fi nation" where free wireless internet access was provided throughout the country. There is a good range of accommodation options on the island with more scheduled for opening up in mid-2013. Niue has one full-service hotel with an international resort style setting, many self-catering fales (cottage style units), guest houses and backpacker options.

[Click title to expand] Fish, noni, vanilla, taro, honey Major export markets Food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Major import markets New Zealand, Japan, China, Australia Max Height Above Sea Level 68m Niue - 必应 Sign in Niue Niue (/ˈnjuːeɪ/ NEW-ay; Niuean: Niuē) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi) northeast of New Zealand within the triangle formed by Tonga to the west, Samoa to the north, and the Cook Islands to the east. Its land area is 260 square kilometres (100 sq mi) and its population, predominantly Polynesian, is around 1,190. They commonly refer to the island as " The Rock ", a reference to the traditional name " Rock of Polynesia".[citation needed] Niue, whose capital is the village of Alofi, is a self-governing state in free association ... (展开) n with New Zealand, and New Zealand conducts most of its diplomatic relations on its behalf.

Niueans are New Zealand citizens, and Queen Elizabeth II is head of state in her capacity as Queen of New Zealand. 90 to 95 percent of Niuean people live in New Zealand, along with about 70% of the speakers of the Niuean language. Niue is not a member of the United Nations, but UN organisations have accepted its status as a freely-associated state as equivalent to independence for the purposes of international law. As such, Niue is a full member of some UN specialised agencies (such as UNESCO, and the WHO ), and is invited, alongside the other non-UN member state, the Cook Islands, to attend United Nations conferences open to "all states". In 2003, Internet Users Society-Niue began providing free wireless Internet access throughout the country. Niue History Main article: History of Niue Niue was settled by Polynesians from Samoa around 900 AD. Further settlers arrived from Tonga in the 16th century. Until the beginning of the 18th century, there appears to have been no national government or national leader; chiefs and heads of families exercised authority over segments of the population.

Around 1700, the concept and practice of kingship appear to have been introduced through contact with Samoa or Tonga. A succession of patu-iki (kings) ruled, the first of whom was Puni-mata. Tui-toga, who reigned from 1875 to 1887, was the first Christian king. The first European to sight Niue was Captain James Cook in 1774. He made three attempts to land but was refused permission to do so by the inhabitants. He named the island "Savage Island" because, as legend has it, the natives who "greeted" him were painted in what appeared to be blood. The substance on their teeth was hulahula, a native red banana. For the next couple of centuries, Niue was known as Savage Island until its original name, Niuē, which translates as "behold the coconut", regained use. The next notable European visitors were from the London Missionary Society, which arrived in 1846 on the "Messenger of Peace".

After many years of trying to land a European missionary, a Niuean named Nukai Peniamina was taken to Samoa and trained as a Pastor at the Malua Theological College.[citation needed] Peniamina returned as a missionary with the help of Toimata Fakafitifonua. He was finally allowed to land in Uluvehi Mutalau after a number of attempts in other villages had failed. The chiefs of Mutalau village allowed him to land and assigned over 60 warriors to protect him day and night at the fort in Fupiu. The island was visited by Captain John Erskine in H.M.S. Havannah in July 1849. Christianity was first taught to the Mutalau people before it was spread to all the villages; originally other major villages opposed the introduction of Christianity and had sought to kill Peniamina. The people from the village of Hakupu, although the last village to receive Christianity, came and asked for a "word of god"; hence, their village was renamed "Ha Kupu Atua" meaning "any word of god", or "Hakupu" for short.

In 1889, the chiefs and rulers of Niue, in a letter to Queen Victoria, asked her "to stretch out towards us your mighty hand, that Niue may hide herself in it and be safe." After expressing anxiety lest some other nation should take possession of the island, the letter continued: "We leave it with you to do as seems best to you. If you send the flag of Britain that is well; or if you send a Commissioner to reside among us, that will be well". The offer was not initially taken up by the British. In 1900 a petition by the Cook Islanders asking for annexation included Niue "if possible". In a document dated 19 October 1901, the "King" and Chiefs of Niue consented to "Queen Victoria taking possession of this island." A despatch to the Secretary of State for the Colonies from the Governor of New Zealand referred to the views expressed by the Chiefs in favour of "annexation" and to this document as "the deed of cession." A British Protectorate was declared, but it was short-lived.

Niue was brought within the boundaries of New Zealand on 11 June 1901 by the same Order and Proclamation as the Cook Islands. The Order limited the islands to which it related by reference to an area in the Pacific described by co-ordinates, and Niue, the situation of which is 19.02 S., 169.55 W, is within that area. Self-government was granted by the New Zealand parliament with the 1974 constitution, following a referendum in 1974 whereby Niueans were given three options: independence, self-government or continuation as a New Zealand territory. The majority selected self-government and Niue's written constitution was promulgated as supreme law. Robert Rex, ethnically part European, part native, was appointed the first premier, a position he held until his death 18 years later. Rex was the first Niuean to receive a knighthood, in 1984. In January 2004, Niue was hit by Cyclone Heta which killed two people and caused extensive damage to the entire island, including wiping out most of the south of the capital, Alofi.

Niue Politics Main article: Politics of Niue The Niue Constitution Act vests executive authority in Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand and the Governor-General of New Zealand. The Constitution specifies that in everyday practice sovereignty is exercised by the Niue Cabinet of Ministers, comprising the premier and three other ministers. The premier and ministers are members of the Niue Legislative Assembly, the nation's parliament. The assembly consists of 20 democratically elected members, 14 of whom are elected by the electors of each village constituency, six by all registered voters in all constituencies. Electors must be New Zealand citizens, resident for at least three months, and candidates must be electors and resident for 12 months.[citation needed] Everyone born in Niue must register on the electoral roll. The Speaker is elected by the assembly and is the first official to be elected in the first sitting of the Legislative Assembly following an election. The Speaker calls for nominations for premier; the candidate with the most votes from the 20 members is elected. The premier selects three other members to form the Cabinet of Ministers, the executive arm of government. The other two organs of government, following the Westminster model, are the Legislative Assembly and the Judiciary.

General elections take place every three years, most recently on 12 April 2014. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. There are a High Court and a Court of Appeal, with appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. Main article: Geography of Niue See also: List of villages in Niue Niue is a 269 km² raised coral atoll in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga. The geographic co-ordinates are 19°03′48″S 169°52′11″W / 19.06333°S 169.86972°W.

There are three outlying coral reefs within the Exclusive Economic Zone, with no land area: Beveridge Reef, at 20°00′S, 167°48′W, 240 km southeast, submerged atoll drying during low tide, 9.5 km north-south, 7.5 km East-West, total area 56 km², no land area, lagoon 11 metres deep Antiope Reef, at 18°15′S, 168°24′W, 180 km southeast, a circular plateau approximately 400 metres in diameter, with a least depth of 9.5 metres Haran Reef (Harans Reef), at 21°33′S, 168°55′W, reported to break furiously, 294 km southeast Besides these, Albert Meyer Reef, (20°53′S, 172°19′W, almost 5 km long and wide, least depth 3 metres, 326 km southwest) is not officially claimed by Niue, and the existence of Haymet Rocks (26°S, 

160°W, 1273 km ESE) is in doubt.

Niue is one of the world's largest coral islands. The terrain consists of steep limestone cliffs along the coast with a central plateau rising to about 60 metres above sea level. A coral reef surrounds the island, with the only major break in the reef being in the central western coast, close to the capital, Alofi. A notable feature is the number of limestone caves found close to the coast. The island is roughly oval in shape (with a diameter of about 18 kilometres), with two large bays indenting the western coast, Alofi Bay in the centre and Avatele Bay in the south. Between these is the promontory of Halagigie Point. A small peninsula, TePā Point (Blowhole Point), is close to the settlement of Avatele in the southwest. Most of the population resides close to the west coast, around the capital, and in the northwest. Some of the soils are geochemically very unusual. They are extremely highly weathered tropical soils, with high levels of iron and aluminium oxides (oxisol) and mercury, and they contain high levels of natural radioactivity.

There is almost no uranium, but the radionucleides Th-230 and Pa-231 head the decay chains. This is the same distribution of elements as found naturally on very deep seabeds, but the geochemical evidence suggests that the origin of these elements is extreme weathering of coral and brief sea submergence 120,000 years ago. Endothermal upwelling, by which mild volcanic heat draws deep seawater up through the porous coral, may also contribute. No adverse health effects from the radioactivity or the other trace elements have been demonstrated, and calculations show that the level of radioactivity is probably much too low to be detected in the population. These unusual soils are very rich in phosphate, but it is not accessible to plants, being in the very insoluble form of iron phosphate, or crandallite. It is thought that similar radioactive soils may exist on Lifou and Mare near New Caledonia, and Rennell in the Solomon Islands, but no other locations are known. According to the World Health Organization, residents are evidently very susceptible to skin cancer.

In 2002 Niue reported 2,482 deaths per 100,000 people – far higher than any other country. Niue is separated from New Zealand by the International Date Line. The time difference is 23 hours during the Southern Hemisphere winter and 24 hours when New Zealand uses Daylight Saving Time. Niue Defence and foreign affairs Main article: Foreign relations of Niue Niue has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 3 September 1974 when the people endorsed the Constitution in a plebiscite. Niue is fully responsible for its internal affairs. Niue's position concerning its external relations is less clear cut.

Section 6 of the Niue Constitution Act provides that: "Nothing in this Act or in the Constitution shall affect the responsibilities of Her Majesty the Queen in right of New Zealand for the external affairs and defence of Niue." Section 8 elaborates but still leaves the position unclear: Effect shall be given to the provisions of sections 6 and 7 [concerning external affairs and defence and economic and administrative assistance respectively] of this Act, and to any other aspect of the relationship between New Zealand and Niue which may from time to time call for positive co-operation between New Zealand and Niue after consultation between the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Premier of Niue, and in accordance with the policies of their respective Governments; and, if it appears desirable that any provision be made in the law of Niue to carry out these policies, that provision may be made in the manner prescribed in the Constitution, but not otherwise." Niue has a representative mission in Wellington, New Zealand. It is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and a number of regional and international agencies.

It is not a member of the United Nations, but is a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Ottawa Treaty and the Treaty of Rarotonga. The country is a member state of UNESCO since 26 October 1993. Traditionally, Niue's foreign relations and defence have been regarded as the responsibility of New Zealand. However, in recent years Niue has begun to follow its own foreign relations, independent of New Zealand, in some spheres. It established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on 12 December 2007. The Joint Communique signed by Niue and China is different in its treatment of the Taiwan question from that agreed by New Zealand and China. New Zealand "acknowledged" China's position on Taiwan but has never expressly agreed with it, but Niue "recognises that there is only one China in the world, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of China." Niue established diplomatic relations with India on 30 August 2012.

On 10 June 2014 the Government of Niue Press Release : Niue has now signed new diplomatic relations with Turkey. Honourable Minister of Infrastructure Dalton Tagelagi formalised the agreement over the weekend at the Pacific Small Island States, Foreign Ministers meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. The Memorandum of Understanding with Turkey, increases Niue's foreign relationship with countries including Peoples Republic of China, India, Australia, Thailand, Samoa, Cook Islands and Singapore. The people of Niue have fought as part of the New Zealand army. In World War I, Niue sent about 200 soldiers as part of the Maori Battalion under New Zealand forces. Niue is not a republic but its full name was listed as "the Republic of Niue" for a number of years on the ISO list of country names (ISO-3166-1). In its newsletter of 14 July 2011, the ISO acknowledged that this was a mistake and the words "the Republic of" were deleted from the ISO list of country names.

Niue Economy Main article: Economy of Niue Niue's economy is small, with a GDP of NZ$17 million in 2003, or US$10 million at purchasing power parity. The GDP has since grown to NZ$25.5 million as of 2009.[citation needed] Most economic activity revolves around the government, as the government has been in charge of organising and managing the affairs of the country since 1974. However, since the economy has reached a stage where state regulation may now give way to the private sector, there is an ongoing effort to develop the private sector. Following Cyclone Heta, the government made a major commitment towards rehabilitating and developing the private sector.[citation needed] The government allocated $1 million for the private sector, which was spent on helping businesses devastated by the cyclone, and on the construction of the Fonuakula Industrial Park. This industrial park is now completed and some businesses are already operating from it. The Fonuakula Industrial Park is managed by the Niue Chamber of Commerce, a not for profit organisation providing advisory services to businesses.

Most families grow their own food crops for subsistence and some are sold at the Niue Makete in Alofi, some exported to their families in New Zealand.[citation needed] The taro is known in Samoa as "talo Niue" and in international markets as pink taro. Niue exports taro to New Zealand. The Niue taro is a natural variety and is very resistant to pests.[citation needed] The government and the Reef Group from New Zealand started two joint ventures in 2003 and 2004 involving the development of the fisheries and noni (Morinda citrifolia, a small tree with edible fruit). Niue Fish Processors, Ltd is a joint venture company processing fresh fish, mainly tuna (yellow fin, big eye and albacore), for export to the overseas markets. NFP operates out of their state-of-the-art fish plant in Amanau Alofi South, completed and opened in October 2004.[citation needed] In August 2005, an Australian mining company, Yamarna Goldfields, suggested that Niue might have the world's largest deposit of uranium.

By early September these hopes were seen as overoptimistic, and in late October the company cancelled its plans to mine, announcing that exploration drilling had identified nothing of commercial value. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission filed charges in January 2007 against two directors of the company, now called Mining Projects Group Ltd, alleging that their conduct was deceptive and they engaged in insider trading. This case was settled out of court in July 2008, both sides withdrawing their claims. There is an Australian company that had been issued a mineral prospecting licence in the early 1970s which is still very active in doing research and collecting data on potential mineral deposits on Niue.[citation needed] Remittances from expatriates were a major source of foreign exchange in the 1970s and early 1980s. Continuous migration to New Zealand has shifted most members of nuclear and extended families there, removing the need to send remittances back home.

In the late 1990s, PFTAC conducted studies on the balance of payments, which confirmed that Niueans are receiving little remittances but are sending more money overseas, mainly for paying for imported goods and for the education of students sent to study in New Zealand.[citation needed] Foreign aid, principally from New Zealand, has been Niue's principal source of income. Although most aid comes from New Zealand, it is currently losing NZ$250,000 a year (i.e., reduction in New Zealand funding), meaning the country will come to rely more upon its own economy. Government expenses consistently exceed revenue to a substantial degree, with aid from New Zealand subsidising public service payrolls. The government generates some revenue, mainly from income tax, import tax and the lease of phone lines. The government briefly flirted with the creation of "offshore banking", but, under pressure from the US Treasury, agreed to end its support for schemes designed to minimise tax in countries like New Zealand. Niue provides automated Companies Registration, administered by the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development.

The Niue Legislative Assembly passed the Niue Consumption Tax Act in the first week of February 2009, and the 12.5% tax on good and services was expected to come into effect on 1 April 2009. Income tax has been lowered, and import tax may be reset to zero except for "sin" items like tobacco, alcohol and soft drinks. Tax on secondary income has been lowered from 35% to 10%, with the stated goal of fostering increased labour productivity. In 1997, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), under contract with the US Department of Commerce, assigned the Internet Users Society-Niue (IUS-N), a private charity, as manager of the .nu top-level domain on the Internet. IUS-N's charitable purpose was – and continues to be – to use revenue from registering .nu domain names to fund low-cost or free Internet services for the people of Niue.

In a letter to ICANN in 2007, IUS-N's independent auditors reported IUS-N had invested US$3 million for Internet services in Niue between 1999 and 2005 from .nu domain name registration revenue during that period. In 1999, IUS-N and the Government of Niue signed an agreement whereby the Government recognised that IUS-N managed the .nu ccTLD under IANA's authority and IUS-N committed to provide free Internet services to government departments as well as to Niue's private citizens. A newly elected Government later disputed that agreement and attempted to assert a claim on the domain name, including a requirement for IUS-N to make direct payments of compensation to the Government. In 2005, a Government-appointed Commission of Inquiry into the dispute released its report, which found no merit in the government's claims; the government subsequently dismissed the claims in 2007. Starting in 2003, IUS-N began installing WiFi connections throughout the capital village of Alofi and in several nearby villages and schools, and has been expanding WiFi coverage into the outer villages since then, making Niue the first WiFi Nation.

To assure security for Government departments, IUS-N provides the government with a secure DSL connection to IUS-N's satellite Internet link, at no cost. In 2003, the government made a commitment to develop and expand vanilla production with the support of NZAID. Vanilla has grown wild for a long time. Despite the setback caused by the devastation of Cyclone Heta in early 2004, there was ongoing work on vanilla production. The expansion plan started with the employment of the unemployed or underemployed labour force to help clear land, plant supporting trees and plant vanilla vines. The approach to accessing land includes planning to have each household plant a small plot of around half to 1-acre (0.40 ha) to be cleared and planted with vanilla vines. There are a lot of planting materials for supporting trees to meet demand for the expansion of vanilla plantations, however there is a severe shortage of vanilla vines for planting stock. There is of course the existing vanilla vines, but cutting them for planting stock will reduce or stop the vanilla from producing beans.

At the moment, the focus is in the areas of harvesting and marketing.[citation needed] The Niue Integrated Strategic Plan (NISP) is the national development plan, setting national priorities for development. Cyclone Heta took away about two years from the implementation of the NISP, while national efforts concentrate on the recovery efforts. In 2008, Niue had yet to fully recover from Cyclone Heta. In the area of trade, Niue is negotiating with other Pacific countries free trade agreements, PICTA Trade in Services (PICTA TIS), Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union, and PACER Plus with Australia and New Zealand. The Office of the Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA) has been set up to assist Niue and other Pacific countries in the negotiation of the PACER Plus. Niue uses the New Zealand dollar. Agriculture Agriculture is very important to the lifestyle of Niueans and the economy, and around 204 square kilometres of the land area are available for agriculture. Subsistence agriculture is very much part of Niue's agriculture, where nearly all the households have plantations of taro.

Taro is a staple food, and the pink taro now dominant in the taro markets in New Zealand and Australia is an intellectual property of Niue. This is one of the natural taro varieties on Niue, and has a strong resistance to pests. Tapioca or cassava, yams and kumaras also grow very well, as do different varieties of bananas. Copra, passionfruit and limes dominated exports in the 1970s, but in 2008 vanilla, noni and taro are the main export crops. Coconut crab, or uga is also part of the food chain; it lives in the forest and coastal areas. The last agricultural census was in 1989. Tourism Tourism has been identified as one of the three priority economic sectors (the other two are fisheries and agriculture) for economic development. In 2006, estimated visitor expenditure reached $1.6 million making tourism a major export industry for Niue. Niue will continue to receive direct support from the government and overseas donor agencies. The only airport is Niue International Airport. Air New Zealand is the sole airline, flying twice a week from Auckland.

Hanan International Airport was served by a local airline in the early 1990s, Niue Airlines, however it closed in 1992. There is a tourism development strategy to increase the number of rooms available to overseas tourists at a sustainable level. Niue is trying to attract foreign investors to invest in the tourism industry of Niue by offering import and company tax concessions as incentives. Sailing[edit] The sailing season begins in May. Alofi Bay has many mooring buoys and yacht crews can stay at Niue Backpackers. The anchorage in Niue is one of the least protected anchorages in the South Pacific. Other challenging characteristics of the anchorage are a primarily coral bottom and lots of deep spots. But the mooring buoys are attached to seine floats that support the mooring lines away from seabed obstructions. Niue Information technology The first computers were Apple machines brought in by the University of the South Pacific Extension Centre around the early 1980s.

The Treasury Department computerised its general ledger in 1986 using NEC personal computers that were IBM PC XT compatible.[citation needed] The Census of Households and Population in 1986 was the first to be processed using a personal computer with the assistance of David Marshall, FAO Adviser on Agricultural Statistics, advising UNFPA Demographer Dr Lawrence Lewis[disambiguation needed] and Niue Government Statistician Bill Vakaafi Motufoou to switch from using manual tabulation cards. In 1987 Statistics Niue got its new personal computer NEC PC AT use for processing the 1986 census data; personnel were sent on training in Japan and New Zealand to use the new computer. The first Computer Policy was developed and adopted in 1988.[citation needed] In 2003, Niue became the first territory to offer free wireless internet to all its inhabitants. In August 2008 it has been reported that all school students have what is known as the OLPC XO-1, a specialised laptop by the One Laptop per Child project designed for children in the developing world.

Niue was also a location of tests for the OpenBTS project, which aims to deliver low-cost GSM base stations built with open source software. In July 2011, Telecom Niue launched pre-paid mobile services (Voice/EDGE – 2.5G) as Rokcell Mobile based on the commercial GSM product of vendor Lemko. Three BTS sites will cover the nation. International roaming is not currently available. The fibre optic cable ring is now completed around the island (FTTC), Internet/ADSL services were rolled out towards the end of 2011.[citation needed] In January 2015 Telecom Niue completed the laying of the fibre optic cable around Niue connecting all the 14 villages, making land line phones and ADSL internet connection available to households. Niue Renewable energy The European Union is helping Niue convert to renewable energy. In July 2009 a solar panel system was installed, injecting about 50 kW into the Niue national power grid. This is nominal 6% of the average 833 kW electricity production.

The solar panels are at Niue High School (20 kW), Niue Power Corporation office (1.7 kW) and the Niue Foou Hospital (30 kW). The EU-funded grid-connected PV systems are supplied under the REP-5 programme and were installed recently by the Niue Power Corporation on the roofs of the high school and the power station office and on ground-mounted support structures in front of the hospital. They will be monitored and maintained by the NPC. In 2014 two additional solar power installations were added to the Niue national power grid, one funded under PALM5 of Japan is located outside of the Tuila power station – so far only this has battery storage, the other under European Union funding is located opposite the Niue International Airport Terminal. Niue Sport See also: Rugby union in Niue Despite being a small country, a number of sports are popular. Rugby union is the most popular sport, played by both men and women; Niue were the 2008 FORU Oceania Cup champions. Netball is played only by women. There is a nine-hole golf course at Fonuakula.

There is a lawn bowling green under construction.[citation needed] Association Football is a popular sport, as evidenced by the Niue Soccer Tournament, though the Niue national football team has played only two matches. Rugby league is also a popular sport. Niue Rugby League have only started making strides within the international arena since their first ever test match against Vanuatu, going down 22–20 in 2013. On 4 October 2014, the Niue rugby league team record their first ever international test match win defeating the Philippines 36–22. In May 2015, Niue Rugby League recorded their second international test match win against the South African Rugby League side, 46–6. Niue now sit 33rd in the Rugby League World Rankings. ^ "The World today" (PDF). UN. ^ "Repertory of Practice" (PDF) (8). UN: 10 |contribution= ignored (help). ^ "Niue". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 11 May 2015. ^ "QuickStats About Pacific Peoples". Statistics New Zealand. 2006.

Retrieved 28 October 2011. ^ Moseley, Christopher and R. E. Asher, ed. Atlas of the World's Languages (New York: Routelage, 1994) p. 100 ^ ^ "UNESCO International Bureau of Education. Bureau international d'éducation. Oficina Internacional de Educacion. IBE. BIE. OIE. - UNESCO.org: Niue". unesco.org. ^ "List of member countries of the World Health Organisation". ^ "Pacific Climate Change: Niue urges world leaders to leave legacy of action at climate conference". climatepasifika.blogspot.com.br. ^ "Light Reading – Networking the Telecom Industry". Unstrung.com. Retrieved 20 November 2012. ^ a b Encyclopædia Britannica, "Niue" ^ Smith, S Percy (1903). "Niuē-fekai (or Savage) Island and its People". pp.36–44 ^ Horowitz, Anthony 'Tony' (2002). "8". Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before. ^ Marks, Kathy (9 July 2008).

"World's smallest state aims to become the first smoke-free paradise island". The Independent (London). Retrieved 21 July 2008. ^ "The Church Missionary Gleaner, October 1853". Savage Island. Adam Matthew Digital. Retrieved 18 October 2015. (subscription required (help)). ^ a b c d Commonwealth and Colonial Law by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. P. 897 ^ "Constitution Act 1974". Paclii.org. Retrieved 20 November 2012. ^ "Niuean criminal court system". Association of Commonwealth Criminal Lawyers. Retrieved 29 December 2010. ^ Jacobson G, Hill PJ (1980) Hydrogeology of a raised coral atoll, Niue Island, South Pacific Ocean. Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics, 5 271–278. ^ Whitehead, N. E.; J. Hunt; D. Leslie; P. Rankin (June 1993).

"The elemental content of Niue Island soils as an indicator of their origin" (PDF). New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics 36 (2): 243–255. doi:10.1080/00288306.1993.9514572. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2007. ^ "UV radiation: Burden of disease by country". World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository. 2002. ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Alofi, Niue". Weatherbase. Retrieved 3 August 2009. ^ Masahiro Igarashi, Associated Statehood in International Law, p 167 ^ Section 8, Niue Constitution Act. ^ "UNESCO.ORG | Communities | Member States". Erc.unesco.org. Retrieved 20 November 2012. ^ a b "Full text of joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Niue". Xinhua News Agency. 12 December 2007.

Retrieved 6 March 2008. ^ "India establishes Diplomatic Relations with Niue". Ministry of External Affairs of India. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012. ^ Margaret Pointer (2000). Tagi tote e loto haaku – My Heart is Crying a Little: Niue Involvement in the Great War 1914–1918. ISBN978-982-02-0157-6. ^ "ISO 3166-1 Newsletter VI-9 "Name changes for Fiji, Myanmar as well as other minor corrections" (Published 14 July 2011)" (PDF). Retrieved 30 April 2014. ^ "Country Information Paper - Niue". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2009. ^ "Niue". World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 2 October 2008. ^ Yamarna loses passion for Niue's uranium, The Age, 6 September 2005.

Retrieved 2007-12-24. ^ NIUE: No Mineable Uranium, Says Exploration Company, Pacific Magazine, 3 November 2005. Retrieved 2007-12-24. ^ "ASIC takes action against directors of Melbourne mining company" (Press release). Australian Securities and Investments Commission. 23 January 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2007. ^ "ASIC discontinues proceedings against directors of Melbourne mining company" (Press release). Australian Securities and Investments Commission. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2008. ^ "Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre". PFTAC. Retrieved 20 November 2012. ^ ^ "12.5% Niue Consumption Tax from 1 April". Niue Business News. 26 February 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. ^ Rhoads, Christopher (29 March 2006). "On a tiny island, catchy Web name sparks a battle". Post-gazette.com. Retrieved 26 June 2010.

^ "Niue government criticised over internet stance". RNZI. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2010. ^ "WiFi Nation". WiFi Nation. Retrieved 20 November 2012. ^ Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles: Niue, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, January 2009. ^ Pollock, Nancy J. (1979). "Work, wages, and shifting cultivation on Niue". Journal of Pacific Studies (Pacific Institute) 2 (2): 132–143. ^ Agriculture Products, CIA World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency. ^ Eagles, Jim (23 September 2010). "Niue: Hunting the uga". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011. ^ Niue Agricultural Census 1989 – Main Results, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 1989. ^ "Niue Tourism – Official Website". Retrieved 4 June 2013. ^ "Sailing Season Commences on Niue - Niue". niueisland.com.

^ ^ "Niue Yacht Club - Damage NYC Mooring #10". nyc.nu. ^ "Le Programme international pour le développement de la communication de l'UNESCO soutient le journal de Niue", UNESCO, 16 July 2002 ^ ^ Creating a Wireless Nation, IUSN White Paper, July 2003 ^ "One laptop for every Niuean child". BBC News. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2010. ^ "Niue Pilot System". Openbts.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 26 June 2010. ^ Whitney, Scott (1 July 2002). "The Bifocal World of John Pule: This Niuean Writer and Painter Is Still Searching For A Place To Call Home". Pacific Magazine. ^ "John Pule and Nicholas Thomas. Hiapo: Past and present in Niuean barkcloth". NZ: Otago University Press. Retrieved 20 November 2012. ^ "Niue Census of Population and Housing". 2011. p.46. ^ "Niue – Tuila Office – Tuila overview".

Sunny Portal. Retrieved 26 June 2010. ^ "Achievements for Niue". The European Commission's Delegation to the Pacific. Retrieved 31 July 2009. ^ "Niue take Oceania Cup rugby union final". Radio Australia. 1 September 2008.. The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Lt. Gen.

Sir Jerry MATEPARAE (since 31 August 2011); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Ross ARDEN (since February 2014) head of government: Premier Toke TALAGI (since 18 June 2008) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the premier elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; premier indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly for a 3-year term; election last held on 24 April 2014 (next to be held in 2017) election results: Toke TALAGI reelected premier; Legislative Assembly vote - Toke TALAGI (independent) 12, Stanley KALAUNI 8 description: unicameral Assembly or Fono Ekepule (20 seats; 14 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 6 directly elected from the National Register or "common roll" by majority vote; members serve 3-year terms) elections: last held on 12 April 2014 (next to be held in 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats

 by party - 20 independents Judicial branch: highest resident court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and up to 3 judges); note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the final appeal court beyond the Niue Court of Appeal judge selection and term of office: Niue chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the premier; other judges appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the chief justice and the minister of justice; judges serve until age 68 subordinate courts: High Court note: Niue is a participant in the Pacific Judicial Development Program, which is designed to build governance and the rule of law in 15 Pacific island countries Alliance of Independents or AI Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN] name: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven) lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA note: adopted 1974 Economy - overview: The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population.

The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Economic aid allocation from New Zealand in FY13/14 was US$10.1 million. Niue has The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and financial services, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in t Niue | island, Pacific Ocean | Britannica.com island, Pacific Ocean Oceania Niue, internally self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand . It is the westernmost of the Cook Islands but is administratively separate from them. Niue lies some 1,340 miles (2,160 km) northeast of Auckland , New Zealand, and 240 miles (385 km) east of the Vavaʿu Group of Tonga , in the southwestern Pacific Ocean .

Niue is sometimes called “the Rock of Polynesia,” or simply “the Rock.” The capital and largest settlement is Alofi . Area 100 square miles (260 square km). Pop. (2011) 1,613. Map of the Pacific Islands. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Land and people Niue is a roughly oval, raised coral island that is about 40 miles (65 km) in circumference. The island has two distinct levels. The upper level, a central plateau with a maximum elevation of approximately 200 feet (60 metres), slopes steeply down at its edges to the lower level, a coastal terrace about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) wide and 80–90 feet (25–27 metres) high, which in turn slopes down to meet the sea in small cliffs. A fringing reef surrounds the island. Erosion has created craggy stone formations in the porous limestone along the coastline, resulting in caves and pools such as the Limu Pools on the northwest edge of the island. Limestone formations surrounding the Limu Pools, northwestern coast of Niue.

© Lisa Strachan/Shutterstock.com Precipitation on Niue averages about 80 inches (2,000 mm) annually and falls mostly during heavy rainstorms (sometimes including tropical cyclones ) from December to March. A devastating cyclone struck Niue in 2004, causing a number of deaths and substantial property damage in the coastal areas, including the capital. The wet season, which is humid and warm, lasts from November to March, and the cooler dry season from April to October. The island’s soil is extremely porous, so that water catchment from roofs is necessary to provide adequate water supply. The vegetation cover is scant but includes large trees, such as banyans and Tahiti chestnuts. There are also coconuts, fan palms, and pandanus, as well as hibiscus and other shrubs, ferns, and creepers. Similar Topics Iceland The population is mostly Polynesian. English is widely spoken, and a large number of people speak both English and Niuean, a Polynesian language akin to Tongan and Samoan; a small proportion speak only Niuean. The inhabitants are predominantly Christian.

Most people live in villages on the fertile coastal strip, which is intensively cultivated . The population declined throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries as many Niueans migrated to New Zealand because of limited economic prospects at home. In the early 21st century there were many times more native-born Niueans and their descendants living in New Zealand than on Niue itself. Niue’s currency is the New Zealand dollar. The economy is based mainly on agriculture. About one-fourth of the land is arable and is held in traditional family patterns; land ownership is passed down through family lines, and, by law, land cannot be sold to foreigners. Passion fruit, coconuts, pawpaw, and limes are cash crops. Subsistence crops include taro (locally called talo), yams, bananas, sugarcane, papaya, guava, and citrus fruits. Livestock includes pigs, chickens, and cattle, and fishing is conducted for domestic needs. The government has made the development of the fishing industry a priority, and a fish-processing plant was opened in the village of Amanau in 2004. About one-fifth of the land is forested.

Manufacturing is centred on processing crops and includes lime juice, passion fruit, copra , honey, leather goods, and handicrafts for export. An industrial park was established in Fonuakula in the early 21st century. Tourism makes a growing contribution to the economy. Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent Under the 1974 Niue Constitution Act , Niue is self-governing, though Niueans are New Zealand citizens and members of the Commonwealth . New Zealand is responsible for defense and external affairs as well as administrative and economic assistance as necessary. Executive authority is vested in the British monarch, represented by the governor-general of New Zealand. The leader of the government is the premier, elected by the 20-member Legislative Assembly . The members of the assembly are elected by universal adult suffrage; the legal voting age is 18. The majority of assembly members are elected from village constituencies; the rest are elected by all voters and serve as at-large members. The premier selects a cabinet from among the members of the assembly. A general election is held at least every three years, upon the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly at the request of the premier.

Education is free and compulsory between ages 5 and 16. There is an extension centre of the University of the South Pacific at Alofi. History There is archaeological evidence that Niue was settled about 900 ce by Samoans. According to tradition, a second group, a war party from Tonga , arrived sometime in the 16th century. Capt. James Cook landed on Niue in 1774 and, because of hostility from the Niueans, named it Savage Island. London Missionary Society members began to arrive in the 1830s, and by the 1850s the islanders had been converted to Christianity. In 1900 Great Britain established a protectorate over Niue. The following year the island was annexed to New Zealand as part of the Cook Islands, but in 1903 it was separated and given its own resident commissioner and island council. The first Niuean Legislative Assembly was elected in 1960, and in 1966 the resident commissioner’s authority was partly delegated to the assembly and a Niuean leader of government was installed.

In 1974 the people voted for a new constitution, choosing self-government in association with New Zealand. The devastation caused by a tropical cyclone in 2004 greatly affected the economy, and over the next several years the island began to rebuild with the help of foreign aid, particularly from the New Zealand government and the European Investment Bank. Niue is a member of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Forum . Niue territory profile - BBC News BBC News Read more about sharing. Close share panel Home to fewer than 2,000 people, the Pacific island of Niue is trying to encourage some of the 20,000 overseas Niueans - many of whom migrated to New Zealand - to return. The coral atoll operates in free association with New Zealand, its main source of aid and biggest trading partner. All Niueans are New Zealand citizens with Wellington handling Niue's defence and foreign policy. Cyclone Heta devastated Niue in 2004. Fishing, agriculture and tourism are economic mainstays and the island attracts whale-watchers, divers and yachting enthusiasts.

Niue has embraced the internet, earning money from the sale of its suffix, and in 2003 became the first territory to offer a free wireless internet service to all residents. Lying between Tonga and the Cook Islands, Niue was settled by Samoans in the first century AD. Britain's Captain James Cook sighted the island in 1774 and British missionaries arrived in the 19th century. Niue was subsequently administered from New Zealand, becoming self-governing in 1974. Self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand Population 1,400 Area 260 sq km (100 sq miles) Major languages Niuean, English Life expectancy 67 (men), 76 (women) Currency New Zealand dollar Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II Image copyright AFP Image caption Mr Talagi has served two terms Prime minister: Toke Talagi Toke Talagi was first elected in June 2008 to serve a three-year term. He gained the backing of parliament for another term in May 2011 and was re-elected in April 2014. Mr Talagi previously served as deputy premier and finance minister.

He is also president of the Niue Rugby Union. MEDIA Most of Niue's media is government-owned and funded. Expansion of the internet has led to a growth in online media. The Broadcasting Corporation of Niue (BCN) runs the island's only television network Television Niue and Radio Sunshine. The Niue Star is the country's only independent source of print news.

Question: The coral island of Niue is a self-governing state in free association with which country?
Answer: NEW ZEALAND